The Uniworld River Heritage Club
WHAT ARE YOUR 2019 RESOLUTIONS? WE HAVE A FEW SUGGESTIONS. pg 3 A PEEK INTO THE 2018 RIVER HERITAGE CLUB REUNION CRUISE. pg 5 TREADRIGHT FEATURE: PUT AN END TO ELEPHANT ABUSE. WHY YOU SHOULD #REFUSETORIDE. pg 7
December 2018
E-NEWSLETTER
RIVERVIEWS
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ELLEN’S 360°
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UNIQUELY UNIWORLD: RED CARNATION HOTELS
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WHAT ARE YOUR 2019 RESOLUTIONS? WE HAVE A FEW SUGGESTIONS.
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December 2018
A PEEK INTO THE 2018 RIVER HERITAGE CLUB REUNION CRUISE.
A RECIPE FROM THE KITCHEN OF BEA TOLLMAN
#ExploreUniworld
Ellen’s 360° On behalf of the entire Uniworld family, I want to wish you a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year! When I reflect on the past year, I’m blown away by all that we’ve accomplished. Our fifth Super Ship, the beautiful S.S. Beatrice, finally emerged earlier this year after months of anticipation and careful planning— and she’s been turning heads along the Danube ever since. Additionally, Uniworld debuted on television as the founding corporate underwriter of Amanpour & Co., a nightly series on PBS. Most notably, we were incredibly honored to win “World’s Best River Cruise Line” in the Travel + Leisure 2018 World’s Best Awards, and to receive a Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick for “Best River Cruise Line.” S.S. Beatrice also earned “Best River Ship Refurbishment.” These accolades are a testament to our dedication to providing the most unique and luxurious experience on the rivers. We owe much of that recognition to you, our River Heritage Club members, for your continued loyalty and support. In this issue of RiverViews, discover Uniworld’s close relationship with the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a behind-the-scenes look at our first-ever River Heritage Club Reunion Cruise, The TreadRight Foundation’s work with Wildlife SOS, and more. Happy holidays, and here’s to discovering experiences beyond compare in 2019. Warm regards,
Ellen Bettridge PRESIDENT & CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
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UNIQUELY UNIWORLD:
FOLLOWING IN THE CREATIVE FOOTSTEPS OF THE RED CARNATION HOTEL COLLECTION. Each ship in our boutique river cruise collection is a one-of-a-kind statement piece, modeled after the luxury boutique hotels of our sister company, the five-star Red Carnation Hotels. The Red Carnation Hotel Collection’s creative prowess and legacy of innovative design shine through in their 17 hotels, as they do across our
S.S. Maria Theresa Ashford Castle Hotel
work-of-art fleet. Bea Tollman, alongside her husband Stanley, founded Red Carnation Hotels some 50 years ago—and since then, their passion for hospitality, tradition and unmatched service has become an integral component of your river cruise experience. From our unique suites and elegantly appointed public spaces to delicious cuisine inspired by Bea’s recipes and service beyond compare, we’ve been able to tap into their decades of knowledge and stylistic flair.
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WHAT ARE YOUR 2019 RESOLUTIONS? We have a few suggestions.
We know that the best travel experiences are the ones unlike anything else. That’s why we offer one-of-a-kind excursions all over the world. Make a resolution to explore somewhere new in 2019, and do it in style and luxury with the “World’s Best River Cruise Line.”
01. BRILLIANT BORDEAUX
8 Days | Bordeaux to Bordeaux | S.S. Bon VoyageNEW FOR 2019! Featured excursion: “Let’s Go” bike in the Médoc Vineyards Combine fresh air, gorgeous scenery and fine wine with a bicycle ride among the prestigious Médoc vineyards. Meet your guide and mount your bicycle in Pauillac and wheel out of town, pedaling through the lush landscapes of historic estates that have seemingly remained unchanged for centuries. Truly experience the atmosphere—the earth, the sunshine—of this famous wine-growing region.
Photo credit: @helloworldtravel_rob
02. CASTLES ALONG THE RHINE
8 Days | Basel to Amsterdam | S.S. Antoinette, River Empress or River Queen Featured excursion: Exclusive Doktorenhof Vinegar Estate visit and tasting Visit the Weinessiggut Doktorenhof estate for a special vinegar tasting. Founded by Georg Wiedemann over 30 years ago, Doktorenhof produces vinegars from premium wines, rather than inexpensive ones. Wines are aged with a century-old vinegar and flavored with a variety of herbs and fruits, resulting in complex and elegant aperitifs. These aperitifs are typically enjoyed in a long-stemmed glass between courses or after a meal. Savor some of the estate’s most delightful vinegars in the atmospheric tasting room. 3 UNIWORLD.COM
Photo credit: @uniworld_rik
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03. ME TO WE & THE SACRED GANGES
12 Days | New Delhi to Kolkata | Ganges Voyager II
Featured excursion: Sightseeing in Udaipur and lunch on the shore of Lake Pichola with market shopping Enjoy lunch on the shores of the beautiful Lake Pichola in the shadow of the City Palace and Lake Palace, both world-famous architectural attractions. The majestic City Palace was built almost five centuries ago on a hill that gives stunning views of Udaipur, and you might recognize the Lake Palace from a 1980’s James Bond film. Today, this Indian icon is a luxury hotel featuring 83 stunning rooms encased in white marble walls, and has hosted a slew of famous guests. Along the way, you’ll bask in the beauty of Udaipur—which has often been described as the most romantic spot in India.
03. 04. IMPERIAL WATERWAYS OF RUSSIA
12 Days | St. Petersburg to Moscow | River Victoria Featured excursion: Goritsy “Village Day” Centuries ago, Goritsy was home to an exceptionally large number of ornate monasteries, and it vstill holds onto much of that charm today. Your tour includes a visit to a local school, where you’ll mingle with teachers and students alike, and get a feel for life in this riverside village. See the enchanting literature classrooms, gym hall, library, military hall of fame and garden. After, you’ll continue on to a rural library and enjoy a private visit to a local’s home. This is a unique opportunity to hear everything from the history of Goritsy to the present-day lifestyles of those who call it home.
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Photo credit: @uniworld_dasha
05. CHINA, TIBET & THE YANGTZE
14 Days | Beijing to Shanghai | Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer Featured excursion: Fuling – 816 Underground Project Venture to the site of the 816 Underground Project, a giant nuclear installation that the military started constructing in the mountains in the 1960s as the world’s superpowers set off on a nuclear arms race. For years, this top-secret plant remained hidden by dense forests and mountainous landscapes, only having been revealed to the public in recent years. Explore Cold War history by traveling down into this hollowed-out cave, with its more than 17 man-made caves, more than 130 roads and tunnels, and an almost 80-meterhigh cave where the nuclear reactor was placed.
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Ellen Bettridge poses with a seven-time Uniworld cruiser and four-time sky diver, in S.S. Joie de Vivre’s Salon Toulouse.
A peek into the
2018 RIVER HERITAGE CLUB REUNION CRUISE. Ellen Bettridge, Uniworld CEO & President, recently joined our guests onboard the December 6, 2018 sailing of the Parisian Royal Holiday for our first annual River Heritage Club Reunion Cruise. This exclusive holiday sailing took place onboard the S.S. Joie de Vivre and featured special onboard concerts, a private cocktail reception, festive excursions and more. Take a look! Want to get in on all the fun next year? Join Ellen onboard our next River Heritage Club Reunion Cruise on the June 30, 2019 sailing of Brilliant Bordeaux. You’ll also be among the first to experience our newest super ship, S.S. Bon Voyage, with her enhanced dining experiences onboard, added pool on the top deck, and design scheme inspired by Bordeaux’s wine and gastronomic expertise.
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A walking discovery tour brought guests inside the lavish OpĂŠra de Paris Garnier without the crowds.
Natalia, a Uniworld cruise manager, posing in front of the beautiful Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Guests enjoying an onboard concert.
A family from Bermuda that has sailed together six times relaxes in the lounge.
Guests before embarking on a hike to La Roche Guyon led by Tihomir.
View of the Eiffel Tower from the ship.
Ellen poses with a couple that has sailed 23 times with Uniworld.
Ellen hosts a very engaging Q&A session onboard.
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PUT AN END TO ELEPHANT ABUSE. Why you should #RefuseToRide.
Founded in 2008 by Uniworld’s parent company, The Travel Corporation, The TreadRight Foundation’s mission is to safeguard people, wildlife and the planet for generations to come. India is faced with a lack of elephant welfare awareness and education, which is leading to the prolonged use of elephants for manual labor, performances, processions and entertainments. The TreadRight Foundation, alongside their Wildlife project partner, Wildlife SOS, are working to protect India’s majestic elephants while spreading the message of why it’s critical that travelers #RefuseToRide. The Wildlife SOS campaign aims to end the mistreatment of elephants by educating tourists on why saying ‘yes’ to elephant rides and wildlife entertainment fuels the cycle of abuse and exploitation. The India-based organization cares for injured and sick elephants, like Asha, who are forced to work in slums and crowded cities as a means of entertainment or manual labor. Asha, whose name means “hope” in Hindi, was forced to perform in the circus and give rides to tourists for years, but is now living out the rest of her life in peace at their Conservation and Care Center outside of Agra. Learn more about Wildlife SOS and Asha’s story in a new TreadRight Foundation video.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WILDLIFE SOS’ EFFORTS
“The power to change the landscape around elephant rides rests with us; the travelers.” – Céline Cousteau, TreadRight Ambassador
A f a m i ly of br a n d s
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from the kitchen of Bea Tollman
RICE PUDDING
This delicious and versatile dish is guaranteed to please at your holiday get-together. “We had enjoyed a similar pudding while travelling in France, and were struck by its extraordinary lightness and balance. I was determined to recreate it, working from scratch, and in this case the proof in the pudding is definitely in the eating.” —Bea Tollman
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
2/3 cup jasmine rice 1/2 cup sugar 1 vanilla pod 4 strips of lemon peel 2 cup whole milk 1 cup double cream 2 cup double cream (whipped)
Put all the ingredients except the whipped cream into a saucepan and cook over a moderate heat, stirring often to prevent burning, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed and has thickened to a pouring consistency. This takes about 30 minutes. Pour onto a flat dish and cover with cling film to prevent a skin from forming, then let it cool. When the rice pudding has cooled, fold in the whipped cream.
Salty Caramel Sauce 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/4 cup butter 1 cup cream 1 1/4 tsp salt (add more if necessary) Caramelized Nuts 1 2/3 cups nuts, including pecans, pumpkin seeds, almonds and walnuts 1/2 cup sugar
For the caramel sauce, put the sugar into the saucepan, add enough water so it resembles wet sand, and boil until a light caramel color is reached. Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the butter and cream, then return to the heat, bring back to the boil, and add sea salt. Toast the nuts in the oven. Put the sugar in a wide saucepan, add enough water so it resembles wet sand, and cook until the sugar is on the verge of caramelizing. Turn off the heat and add the nuts, stirring vigorously. The nuts will crystallize, turning white and coated in sugar. Turn the heat back on and stir continuously to re-caramelize. The nuts should be individually coated in crusted caramel sugar. Serve a small bowl of rice pudding with a little caramel sauce drizzled on the top, and the warm caramel sauce and nuts on the side.
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AN OUTSTANDING LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR OUR EXCEPTIONAL GUESTS. After your first Uniworld cruise, you will be automatically enrolled in our River Heritage Club loyalty program and begin receiving benefits, savings and rewards reserved exclusively for our loyal guests.
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS ON ALL CRUISES, COMBINABLE WITH ALL PROMOTIONS.* plus
An exclusive WELCOME GIFT to commemorate your membership.
PRIORITY NOTIFICATION on new cruises and programs.
Join the Captain for a members-only COCKTAIL PARTY onboard.
Special MEMBER-ONLY OFFERS.
Complimentary LAUNDRY service.
Exclusive RIVERVIEWS E-MAGAZINE.
Enjoy exclusive access to our dedicated, members-only reservations line: 1-800-307-4699.
Complimentary IN-ROOM FRUIT PLATTER waiting onboard for you upon arrival.
NOTE: Benefits in China may vary.
EVEN MORE VALUE COMES TO THOSE WHO PLAN AHEAD. It’s never too early to begin thinking about your next adventure, and if you do, you’ll enjoy added savings. When you book your next voyage while onboard, you’ll save AN ADDITIONAL 3% ON TOP OF YOUR EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS FOR RIVER HERITAGE CLUB MEMBERS.†
WHERE IN THE WORLD….??? This quaint German town hosts one of the region’s most beloved holiday attractions, which is nicknamed the “Twinkling Star” Christmas Market. If you can name where in the world this place is, email us at RHC@Uniworld.com. The first to answer correctly will be featured in our next issue of RiverViews.
LAST ISSUE’S VICTOR Congratulations, Gloria Slutzky, for being the first to correctly identify the Winter Palace, which houses the Hermitage Museum, in St. Petersburg, Russia, as last issue’s mystery destination. Visit this striking blue palace for yourself and experience Russia’s artistic and architectural treasures on our Imperial Waterways of Russia itinerary.
Visit Uniworld.com/River-Heritage-Club for more information. * River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld cruise .†This offer is combinable with the River Heritage Club Member Benefit and Early Booking Discount. Onboard savings are calculated on the cruise-tour price (including any upgrades and single supplements), after all applicable flat-rate discounts are applied. Bookings must be created and full deposit processed while onboard to qualify for 3% onboard savings. Other restrictions apply. See Uniworld.com for complete terms and conditions.